History of northern Wisconsin: containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources, an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views of county seats, etc. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881. p.1176

John R. Kimberly, farmer, P.O. Neenah; settled in Neenah, Wis., in 18498, emigrating from Troy, N.Y., where he was born Jan. 1, 1801. Mr. John R. Kimberly was fifteen years of age when he began to learn the carpenter trade with his father, Hazard Kimberly; he served an apprenticeship of seven years, after which he followed his chosen occupation, building and contracting, buying lots, building, renting or selling houses. He followed that business until father's death, at which time he had accumulated property to the value of $5,000. His father left him another $5,000, making the nice capital of $10,000, making a good start for the ten energetic and wide-awake young man to begin business and life anew in the ten far Western world at Neenah, Wis., where he first engaged in mercantile business in company with his brother L. Kimberly; firm was called J. & H. Kimberly. They followed the same in connection with milling business, buying wheat and other produce, frighting down the Fox River. They also shipped large quantities of flour to the Eastern States, they followed the above business until 1859; closed their store and continued the milling business three or four years longer. Then the subject of this sketch sold his interest to his brother. After selling out he started his son John A. and Mr. H. Babcock in the mercantile business. Mr. K. went East and bought $15,000 worth of goods. The young men continued successfully for many years. Mr. Kimberly also went in company with them and built a large stone flouring mill, now called the Reliance Mills, which they are now operating. Mr. K. was married Nov. 3, 1828, at Rochester, N.Y., to Miss Aurelia Aldrich, born March 8, 1802, in Wrentham, Mass. They have six children, five daughters and one son- Eliza R. (deceased), Mary A. (now married to Judge J. B. Hamilton, of Neenah, now serving second term in State Senate), Delia F. (deceased), Susan A. (deceased), J. Alfred (married and living in Neenah) and S. Emma (at home), Mr. Kimberly has evidently seen much of the pioneer life of Wisconsin.